Check-rein and post-hook



(N0 ModeL) O. L. BARB.

CHECK REI'N AND POST HOOK.

Patented Sept. 29,1885.

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CEPHAS LITTLE BARD, OF $AN BUENAVENTURA, CALIFORNIA.

CHECK-REIN AND POST-HOOK.

I SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 327,057, datedSeptember 29, 1885.

Application filedJ'une 22, 1885.

invention consists in a slotted check-rein attached in front to thehead-gear,which may be the overdraw or gag check, and having a rearextension attached to the driving-lines at a point behind the plane ofthe pad, and a post upon the pad through which the check-rein passes,said post havinga fixed hook adapted to engage the slot of theche'ckrein, as I shall hereinafter explain, reference being made to theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective of thehook-frame of my post. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the clampportion. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the post-hook in its positionon the pad, and the slotted rein passing through it and attached to thedriving-lines. Fig. 4 is a view of a modified shape of the post-hook.Fig. 5 is a view of another modification.

The object of my invention is to enable the driver to check and uncheckthe horses without leaving the vehicle, and also to give him bettercontrol over them.

The portion A consists of a frame, preferably of metal. At the rearextremity of the plate A is the upright slotted guide a, and at thefront extremity of the plate is the slotted guide 0, the base of whichis rounded.

Upon the plate and between the guides C c is the stationary or fixedhook B, which may be located at any suitable point upon the frame. Thishook, springing from the frame, curves backwardly toward, into, or alittle beyond the guide 0. A slotted top arm, a, extends between theguides. This entire frame may be made of one piece of metal. If desired,it may be incased, making it more ornamental and protecting its interiorfrom dust and water. This frame could be attached directly to the pad D;but on account of the differentiaclinations of the pads, which depend onthe size of the horse, and which would affect the level of the post, Iprefer to secure it in a manner adapting it to be adjusted to a (N0model.)

level, no matter what may be the inclination of the pad. I thereforehave the clamp A of Fig. 2. ing top lips, a, a bottom recess, a, and ascrew, a

As shown in Fig. 3, the clamp embraces the frame, which is pivoted inthe recess a by means ofa bolt, a, passing through the bottom of theframe. A thumb-screw, of, passes through the lips aand the slotted arm aof the frame. By operating this screw the frame may be set at thedesired level.

E is the check-rein, the forward end of which is adapted to be securedto the usual headgear-either the over-draw or gag check-411 the usualmanner.

Instead of terminating at the post, the rein E passes through theslotted guides O c of the post-frame and extends rearwardly, and isconnected to the drivinglines F, as is shown in Fig. 3. This point ofconnection may be either at the junction of thelines or behind it, or toeither line.

The checkrein is provided with an elongated slot, 0, as shown, whichfits over the It consists of a rectilinear frame havk stationary hook B,and is so located that when I its rear end bears against thehook thehorses are comfortably checked. To uncheck them the driver pulls backthe driving-lines,whereby the check-rein which is attached thereto isalso pulled back, so that the end ofthe sloteis drawn back beyond thevertical plane of the point of the hook B. He now raises the lines,whereby the check-rein is raised, (the greater height of the rear guide,0, permitting) thus disengaging itself from the hook, when the lines arethen slackened to allow the horses to lower their heads. To check themagain the driver pulls back the lines, thus drawing back the check-reinuntil the rear end of its slot moves back beyond the vertical plane ofthe end of the fixed hook,when it can be lowered over the hook andallowed to move forward to the limit of its engagment.

It will be seen that the backward movement of the check-rein is alwayspossible by reason of the elongated slot, though without raising thelines, either by standing up or by flipping them upwardly, thecheck-line cannot move forward or be disengaged from the hook.

The object of the slotted guides G c is to properly direct thecheck-rein. The forward one may, however, be omitted, as it is notabsolutely essential, for the rear one sufficiently guides the rein; butI prefer to have them both, as making the post more complete. Onemodification of this hook is shown in Fig. 4, the principle of which isthe same and its parts correspondingly lettered.

Another modification is shown in Fig. 5. Here the frame is shortened upand its ends curve upwardly, its rear end, which corresponds to theguide 0, having an aperture or slot in it. Its forward end is curvedupwardly and backwardly into a hook,which may correspond to the fixedhook B.

It will also be seen how the engagement of the check'rein Etakcs place.As here shown, the hook B is so high that the checking and unch cokingcannot take place as before, though the driver has still the control ofthe horses by simply drawing the driving-lines,which act through thecheck-rein, as before described; but it is possible that by making thehook B in Fig. 5 lower or the slot 0 higher the disengagement of thecheck-rein may take place.

Having thus described my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The slotted check-rein attached in front to the head-gear andprovided with a rear'extension attached to the driving-lines at a pointbehind the plane of the pad, in combination with apost on the padprovided with suitable guides front and rear,through which the checkreinpasses, and a fixed or stationary hook formed on the post and adapted toengage the slot of the check-rein, substantially as herein described.

2. The slotted check-rein E,attached in front to the head-gear andhaving a rear extension attached to the driving-lines at a point hehindthe plane of the pad, in combination with the post on the pad of theharness, consisting of the frame A, having the slotted guides O c 011its forward and rear ends, respectively, through which thecheck-reinpasses, and the rearwardlyextending fixed hook B on the frameA, adapted to engage the slotted checkrein, substantially as hereindescribed.

3. The slotted check-rein E,attached in front to the head-gear andhaving a rear extension attached to the driving-lines at a point behindthe plane of the pad, in combination with the post-hook comprising theframe A, having a slotted top arm and slotted guides O 0, through whichthe rein passes, and a fixed hook, B, for engaging its slot, and theclamp A, secured to the pad and having a bottom recess in which theframe A is pivoted, and top lips to which the slotted top arm of saidframe is adjustably connected by a thumbscrew, substantially as hereindescribed.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

OEPI-IAS LITTLE BARD.

Vitnesses:

JOHN G. HILL, EDWIN TAGGART.

